Beach and lawn chair



May 23, 1933. M. WASSERBERG 1,911,127

BEACH AND LAWN CHAIR Filed Nov. 5', 1952 A T TORNE Patented May 23, 1933 MAX WASSERBERG, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK BEACH AND LAWN CHAIR Application filed November 5, 1932. Serial No. 341,355.

This invention relates to beach or lawn chairs of the collapsible type; and the object of the invention is to so construct a chair as to materially reduce the length of the chair when folded together so as to permit the placement of one or more of said chairs within a motor vehicle rearwardly of the front seat to permit the transportation of such chairs in motor vehicles to the seashore or bathing beaches or to other places for use, as will be "apparent; a further object -Ming to provide a chair of the class described, which in addition to its compactness as to length, is also compactly folded together so as to be substantially of no greater thickness than the thickness of the rails or brace members employed in the construction of the chair, thus permitting the compact stacking of the chairs one upon the other, and also facilitating the. compacting of the chair for shipment and transportation as well as in the storage thereof when not in use; and further object being to provide a chair consisting of a leg frame, backrest frame, seat frame and brace frame so coupled together as to permit sliding movement of the backrest and seat frames longitudinally of the leg frame and pivotal movement of the brace frame with the backrest frame and leg frame, and still further to the provision of arm rests pivoted to the brace frame and slidably engaging the backrest frame; a further object being to provide a chair of the class described which when in use may be quickly and easily adjusted to control the relative positioning of the backrest frame, and seat frame to govern the inclination of the chair and to permit the adjustment of chair inclination while the occupant is seated in the chair; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a chair of the class and for the purpose specified, which is simple in construction, efficient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view through a chair made according to my invention showing the parts in extended position.

F 1g. 2 is a plan view of the chair collapsed; and, i

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig, 1 showing only a part of the construction and showing a modification.

in carrying my invention into effect, If construct a chair from four main frames, namely a leg frame 5, a backrest frame 6, a seat frame 7 and a brace frame 8. Each of the frames consists of two side rails, each identified by the references 5a, 6a, 7a and 8a. The frame '4' also includes a front '36. In addition to the main frames of the chair, 1 employ arm rests 9 and supplemental leg members 10, the latter as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 being braced by rods 11 and reinforced by a cross strip 10a.

Coupled with and spacing the front ends of the rails 5a is a rod 12 upon which the rails 7a rest, and are slidably mounted, and the rod 12 also forms a pivot for the supplemental legs 10. At 18, I have shown another rod which pivotally couples the rear ends of the rails 5a to the lower ends of the rails 8a, the upper ends of the rails 8a being pivoted to the rails 6a as seen at 14 and at a point slightly below the center of the rails 6a.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the inner ends of the rails 7a are pivoted on a cross rod 15 attached to the rails So at a point above the lower pivot 16 of the rails to sliding blocks or shoes 17 mounted on the rails 5a and movable longitudinally thereof. The purpose of this construction is to main-, tain the seat frame 7 in as near a horizontal position as possible in the different positions of adjustment of the chair. The upper ends of the rails 6a are coupled together by a cross rod 18 to which is attached a canvas or other backrest 19 which is also attached to the cross bar 15 and to the front cross rod 7 b of the frame 7, thus forming between the bar 7 b and rod 15 the seat proper 20.

In the construction shown, a single piece of canvas or like material is shown in forming the backrest 19 and seat 20. It will be apparent, however, that these body portions of the chair may be made of independent sheets of material or of independent kinds of classes of material. At this time, it will be further understood that my invention is not necessarily limited to the use of flexible material in either and/or-both of the frames 6 and 7 nor is my invention necessarily limited, to the attachment of the canvas to the cross rod 15 nor to the arrangement or facing of the rod as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The arm rests 9 are pivoted to the rails 8a as seen at 21' at a point below the pivots 14:, and said arm rests or the rails 9a thereof include elongated apertures 91) in which rivets or pins 22 secured to the rails 6a operate to support and guide the arm rests in the different positions of the chair, and also to permit the collapsing of the arm rests within the boundaries of the chair when the same is folded. The outer ends of the arm rests include comparatively wide top plates 90 forming the arm rests proper. When the chair is completely folded, these plates rest upon the other rails as is indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

The braces 11 are pivoted to supplemental leg members 10 as seen at 23, and said braces have elongated apertures 24 permitting sliding movement of the braces with respect to. pivot pins 25 on the rails 5a. With the parts in the extended position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, it will be noted that the rear ends of the rails 5a of the frame 5 rest upon the ground or other support, as do also the lower ends of the rails 8, and the forward ends of the rails 5 are supported in a raised position by the supplemental legs 10.

In this position of said frames, the lower end of the backrest frame or the side rails 6a thereof may be moved longitudinally of the rails 5a in a forward or backward direction to increase or decrease the inclination of the backrest. In this operation, the seat frame is moved forwardly and backwardly, the rails 7a thereof sliding over the rod 12.

With a chair of the character disclosed, it will be apparent that when a person is sitting in the chair, the inclination of the backrest of the chair may be varied by forcibly proper 19 will be provided.

exerting forward or backward body movement. For example, to move the seat forward to a greater inclination of the backrest, pressure of the shoulders Will be applied upon the backrest above the pivot 14, whereas to move the backrest into an upright position, pressure will be applied to the backrest be 'low the pivot 14:. It will also be noted that by coupling the canvas or other material employed with the cross rod 15, independent flexure of the seat proper 20 and backrest In Fig. 3 of the drawing, I have shown a slight modification of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In said-figure, 26 represents one of the side rails of the leg frame; 27 the lower end of one of the rails of the backrest frame; 28 one of the side rails of the seat frame, the crosshead or front bar of which is shown at 28a; at 29, one of the supplemental leg members; at 30,-the pivot of the rail 27 with the rail 26 through the sliding block or shoe 31.

In this construction, the inner ends of the seat rails 28 are also mounted on the pivot 30 instead of on the pivot 15 as in Fig. 1 of the drawing, it being understood that the pivot 30 is equivalent to the pivot 16 of Fig. 1. With this construction, I also preferably notch or recess the lower surfaces of the rails 28 as seen at 281) to keep the forward end of the seat as low as possible, and the notched portion of the rails 28 slidably engage a bar 32 which couples the forward ends of the side rails 26.

In collapsing the chair from the extended position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2, it will be understood that the lower ends of the frame 6 are moved forwardly on the frame 5 and the seat frame 7 is swung inwardly upon the frame 6 and the supplemental lug 10 swung inwardly upon the bottom of the frame 5, bringing all of the rails of the frames in common alinement. In this connection, it will be noted that contrary to the customary practice, theleg frame 5 or the rails 5a thereof are disposed outwardly of the side rails 6a of the frame 6, and the completely collapsed chair is shortened by reason of the fact that the rails 611 do not extend beyond the pivots to form supporting legs as is the conventional practice. It will be further noted that the brace frame 8 is not detachable and adjustable with respect to the frame 5 as is the conventional practice.

It will be understood that while I have shown certain details of construction for carrying my invention into effect, I am not necessarily limited to these details and various changes in and modifications of the structure herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a collapsible chair of the class described, a leg frame consisting of side rails joined and spaced at their ends by transverse rods, backrest and seat frames normally contained within the boundaries of the leg frame when the chair is collapsed, the backrest frame comprising side rails spaced and coupled at the end portions thereof by transverse rods, one of which forms the pivot of the seat frame to the backrest, said seat frame including at its free end a transverse bar, shoes slidably mounted on the side rails of the leg frame, and the side rails of the backrest frame bein pivotally mounted in connection with sai shoes permitting adjustment of the backrest frame and seat frame, and brace rails pivotally coupled with the rear end portion of the leg frame and with the central portion of the backrest frame.

2. In a collapsible chair of the class described, a leg frame consisting of side rails joined and spaced at their ends by trans verse rods, backrest and seat frames normally contained within the boundaries of the leg frame when the chair is collapsed, the backrest frame comprising side rails spaced and coupled at the end portions thereof by transverse rods, one of which forms the pivot of the seat frame to the backrest, said seat frame including at its free end a transverse bar, shoes slidably mounted on the siderrails of the leg frame and the side rails of the backrest frame being pivotally mounted in connection with said shoes permittingadjustment of the backrest frame and seat frame, brace rails pivotally coupled with the rear end portion of the leg frame and with the central portion of the backrest frame, and the backrest frame and seat frame including canvas body portions both of which are secured to the pivot rod of the seat frame.

3. .In a collapsible chair of the class described, a leg frame consisting of side rails joined and spaced'at their ends by transverse rods, backrest and seat frames normally contained within the boundaries of the leg frame when the chair is collapsed, the backrest frame comprising side rails spaced and coupled at the end portions thereof by transverse rods, one of which forms the pivot of the seat frame to the backrest, said seat frame including at its free end a transverse bar, shoes slidably mounted on the side rails of the leg frame, and the side rails of the backrest frame being pivotally mounted in connection with said shoes permitting adjustment of the backrest frame and seat frame, brace rails pivotally coupled with the rear end portion of the leg frame and with the central portion of the backrest frame, the backrest frame and seat frame including canvas body portions mounted for independent flexure, and arm rests pivotally supported in connection with a said brace rails and slidably engaging the side rails of the backrest frame.

4. A collapsible chair of the class described comprising a leg frame consisting of side rails joined and spaced at their ends by transverse rods, backrest and seat frames normally contained within the boundaries of the leg frame when the chair is collapsed, the backrest frame comprising side rails spaced and coupled at the end portions thereof by transverse rods, one of which forms the pivot of the seat frame to the backrest, said seat frame including at its free end a transverse bar, shoes slidably mounted on the side rails of the leg frame I backrest frame, the backrest frame and seat frame including canvas body portions mounted for independent flexure, arm rests pivotally supported in connection with said brace rails and slidably engaging the side rails of the backrest frame, the seat frame slidably engaging the front cross rod of the leg frame, the rear ends of the rails of the leg frame forming two legs of the chair and supplemental legs pivotally supported in connection with the forward ends of the leg frame for supporting the same in raised position.

5. A collapsible chair of the class described comprising a leg frame consisting of side rails joined and spaced at their ends by transverse rods, backrest and seat frames normally contained within the boundaries of the leg frame when the chair is collapsed, the

backrest frame comprising side rails spaced and coupled at the end portions thereof by transverse rods, one of which forms the pivot of the seat frame to the backrest, said seat frame including at its free end a transverse bar, shoes slidably mounted on the side rails of the leg frame and the side rails of the backrest 'frame being pivotally mounted in connection with said shoes permitting adjustment of the backrest frame and seat frame, brace rails pivotally coupled with the rear end portion of the leg frame and with the central portion of the backrest frame, the backrest frame and seat frame including canvas body portions mounted for independent flexure, arm rests pivotally supported in connection with said brace rails and slidably engaging the side rails of the backrest frame, the seat frame slidably engaging the of the leg'frame, the rear ends of the rails of the leg frame forming two legs of the chair supplemental legs pivotally supported in connection with the forward ends of the leg frame for supporting the same in raised position, and means for supporting said supplemental legs in extended position.

6. A collapsible chair of. the class described comprising an elongated leg frame disposed at a slight inclination to the horizontal plane when in position for use and the rear end of which forms supporting legs for the chair, an adjustable, elongated backrest frame, the lower end of which is pivotally and slidably front cross rod supported on the leg frame, means for brac-' ing the backrest frame in connection with the leg frame in the several positions of the backrest frame, a seat frame pivotally coupled with the backrest frame and movablerelatively to the front end portion of the leg frame and supported thereby, and means for supporting the forward end of the leg frame in raised position.

7. In a folding chair, a supporting frame, a back rest frame having means pivotally and slidably supporting the back rest frame on the supporting frame, a seat frame connected to the back rest frame and slidably mounted on the sup orting frame, and means for bracing the bac rest frame in adjusted position. i

8. A collapsible chair of the class described comprising an elongated leg frame disposed at a slight inclination to the horizontal plane when in position for use and the rear end of which forms supporting legs for the chair, an adjustable, elongated backrest frame, the lower end of which is pivotally and slidably supported on the leg frame, means for bracing the backrest frame in connection with the leg frame in the several positions of the backrest frame, a seat frame pivotally coupled with the backrest frame and movable relatively to the front end portion of the leg frame and supported thereby, means for supporting the forward end of the leg frame in raised position, said last named means invoiving leg members pivotally coupled in connection with the forward end of the leg frame, and means for bracing said leg members.

9. A collapsible chair of the class described comprising an elongated leg frame disposed at a slight inclination to the horizontal plane when in position for use and the rear end of which forms supporting legs for the chair, an adjustable, elongated backrest frame, the lower end of which is pivotally and slidably supported on the leg frame, means for bracing the backrest frame in connection with the leg frame in the several positions of the backrest frame, a seat frame pivotally coupled with the backrest frame and movable relatively to the front end portion ofthe leg frame and supported thereby, means for supporting the forward end of the leg frame in raised position, and said leg frame, backrest frame and seat frame all involving side rails disposed adjacent each other when the chair is in collapsed position, and the back-- rest frame and seat frame each including independently flexing body portions disposed between the side rails thereof. 1 10. A collapsible chair of the class described comprising an elongated leg frame disposed at a slight inclination to the horizontal plane when in position for use and the rear end of which forms supporting legs for the chair, an adjustable, elongated backrest frame, the lower end of which is pivotally and slidably supported on the leg frame, means for brac-. ing the backrest frame in connection with the leg frame in the several positions of the backrest frame, a seat frame pivotally coupled with the backrest frame and movable relatively to the front end portion of the leg frame and supported thereby, means for supporting the forwardend of the leg frame in raised position, all of said frames and said bracing means involving elongated side rails disposed adjacent and in substantially parallel relation to each other when the chair is collapsed, with the backrest frame and seat frame contained within the boundaries of the leg frame when collapsed.

11. A collapsible chair of the class described comprising an elongated leg frame disposed at a slight inclination to the hori zontal plane when in position for use and the rear end of which forms supporting legs for the chair, an adjustable, elongated backrest frame, the lower end of which is pivotally and slidably supported on the leg frame, means for bracing the backrest frame in connection with the leg frame in the several positions of the backrest frame, a seat frame pivotally coupled with the backrest frame and movable relatively to the front end portion of the leg frame and supported thereby, means for supporting the forward end of the leg frame in raised position, all of said frames and said bracing means involving elongated side rails disposed adjacent and in substantially parallel relation to each other when the chair is collapsed with the backrest frame and seat frame contained within the boundaries of said frame, and arm rests pivotally coupled with said brace rails and slidably engaging the side rails of the backrest frame.

12. In a folding chair of the class described including a backrest frame and a seat frame connected and movable with the backrest frame and adapted to be collapsed into a position within the boundaries of the backrest frame, an elongated leg frame of greater length than said backrest frame and within which the backrest frame and seat frame are positioned when the chair is compactly folded, the backrest frame being coupled with the leg frame by means pivoted to the rear end portion of the leg frame and the central portion of the backrest frame for bracing said backrest frame on the leg frame when the chair is in position for use, couplings pivoted to the lower end of the backrest frame and slidable longitudinally on the leg frame in supporting the backres frame in difierent positions of adjustment thereof, the seat 

